Inductor Guide

Basic Facts about Inductors [Lesson 3] Roles of Inductors 2 -Power Inductors-

Inductors have many different applications, and a variety of product types are available to choose from, to suit the application.
The previous column explained inductors for high-frequency circuits. This column explains inductors for power supply circuits.
Typical applications for inductors used in power supply circuits are "voltage conversion" and "choke," and these inductors are used in a wide range of electronic equipment.

Table 1 Applications and roles of inductors for power supply circuits

Application

Role

Required characteristics

Voltage conversion

Accumulation and

discharge of DC energy

Low DC resistance,

ow AC resistance,

good DC superposition

characteristics

Choke

Cutting high-frequency AC
current components

High inductance,

low DC resistance

Murata Manufacturing's lineup of inductors for power supply circuits includes products with two different structures: winding and multilayer. The features of each type are introduced briefly below.

◆Features of winding inductors

Winding inductors have copper wire wrapped in a spiral shape around a ferrite core. In addition, most of Murata Manufacturing's winding inductors for power supply circuits coat the copper wires wrapped around the ferrite core with resin. This resin coating is used for purposes such as to increase the product strength and to form a simple closed magnetic path.

Winding products have various merits when used in the large current range and high inductance range. The target markets span a wide range from mobile phones to TVs, HDD, and digital cameras.
Applicable Murata Manufacturing products:
LQH-P and LQH2MC series (for voltage conversion)

LQH31C/32C/43C/55D/66S series, LQW18C series (for choke)

 

◆Features of multilayer inductors

Multilayer inductors are integrated multilayer-type inductors that layer ceramic materials and a coil conductor.

The multilayer structure enables a smaller size, lower profile, and lower cost compared to the winding structure. The main market for multilayer inductors for voltage conversion is mobile phones, and demand is expected to increase further as switching frequencies become higher.

Applicable Murata Manufacturing products:

LQM-P series (for voltage conversion)

LQM-F series (for choke)

 

As described above, inductors for power supply circuits are used for various markets and applications according to their features. The next issue will introduce differences in applications and features according to inductor structures.

 

person in charge: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. K.M

The information presented in this article was current as of the date of publication. Please note that it may differ from the latest information.

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